Wells, a picturesque city in Somerset, is gearing up to host a magnificent free Jazz & Blues Festival, an eagerly anticipated community event designed to infuse the local cultural scene with vibrant musical performances.

This ambitious festival is the brainchild and passion project of local resident Niamh McGrogan, who envisioned “to bring something truly special” to Wells, fostering a sense of community and artistic appreciation through accessible live music.

To bring her dream to fruition, McGrogan meticulously assembled a dedicated team of musicians and enthusiastic supporters, ensuring the festival operates as a not-for-profit community initiative, emphasizing inclusivity and widespread participation.

The festival will spread across four prominent local establishments: The White Hart, The Swan Hotel, Blossom’s, and The Rose and Crown. Each of these venues is slated to host up to nine diverse bands and artists throughout the event, promising an exciting and varied musical journey for attendees.

Attendees can anticipate an electrifying blend of jazz and blues, showcasing both emerging local talent and well-established regional favourites, with an impressive lineup of 24 bands already confirmed to perform, guaranteeing a rich sonic experience.

Crucially, the festival receives significant backing from the Wellspring Fund, an initiative established during the lockdown period specifically to aid the recovery of live music in Wells as Covid-19 restrictions eased. Paul Cannon, the local saxophonist who founded the fund, stated, “The fund has done what it was set up for,” noting that dedicating its remaining resources to the Jazz & Blues Festival serves as a fitting and impactful culmination to its successful five-year operation.

The confirmed roster of performers includes Paul Cannon’s own blues band, Mojo Workin’, alongside other distinguished acts such as The Groove Soul Academy, Rush Hour, the Harlem Rhythm Cats, the Shepton Mallet Big Band, Edward Leaker Band, Vintage Twist, Portway Blues Band, and the Jazz Disciples, notably fresh from their performance at this year’s Glastonbury Festival.

Despite its not-for-profit structure and community backing, the initiative faces substantial operational costs, prompting the Wells Jazz & Blues Festival to launch a crowdfunding campaign to secure additional resources, aiming to ensure the event reaches its fullest potential and delivers an exceptional experience for all.